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Strangles in horses

React quickly: effective measures against strangles in horses

 Druse beim Pferd

Strangles in horses: Treatment and management including stable disinfection, respiratory support, disease prevention, natural brine inhalation and AnoKath Liquid

Strangles in horses is a highly contagious bacterial infection (typical symptoms: fever, purulent nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes). For stable owners and horse owners, a structured approach is crucial: veterinarian visits, isolation, hygiene/disease prevention, and supportive routines for respiratory care and overall health. This text presents a practical management concept – including the integration of stable disinfection, respiratory support, natural saline inhalation, and AnoKath Liquid for acid-base balance.

Important: Strangles is serious. Treatment should be managed by a veterinarian. Supportive products can be used, but they do not replace diagnosis, medication, or stall quarantine.
Stallhygiene: Stalldesinfektion für saubere, hygienische Stallbereiche

Stable hygiene, stable disinfection

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€17,98
Atemfit und Seuchenprävention: Inhalationsanwendung zur Unterstützung der Atemwege bei Tieren

Respiratory health and disease prevention concentrate 1000ml

€99,90 / l

€99,90
€119,90
Natursole zur Inhalation – Solelösung für Vernebler und Inhalator

Natural brine AnoKath

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€9,30
€9,30
Säure-Basen Haushalt Pferd – Ergänzung zur täglichen Fütterung
Pferd: Säure-Basen-Ausgleich – Unterstützung des Fütterungsmanagements
Säure-Basen für Pferde – Ergänzungsprodukt für die Ration
Säure-Basen-Ausgleich für Pferde – Anwendung im Futter
Säure-Basen Haushalt & Pferd – Produkt zur unterstützenden Ergänzung

Acid-base balance in horses

€31,90 / l

€159,50
€164,50

Recognizing strangles: typical symptoms and warning signs

You will often recognize these signs in cases of strangles:

  • You take your temperature and notice significant fatigue.
  • You see purulent nasal discharge
  • Your horse is coughing and showing signs of respiratory irritation.
  • You feel swollen lymph nodes (lower jaw/jaws), some with abscesses.

Your horse has difficulty swallowing and is eating less.

If your horse has a fever, is eating poorly, or is having trouble breathing, call the vet immediately. Reacting early in the stable will significantly limit the spread of the disease.

Treatment core: veterinarian + isolation + clear procedures

You tailor the veterinary treatment to the animal's progress (e.g., fever and pain/inflammation management, and further measures depending on the findings). You should only use supportive products once the foundation is in place: diagnostics, quarantine, and a strict hygiene plan that you follow daily.

Barn disinfection and disease prevention: the crucial lever against the spread of disease

Strangles is a classic "barn disease". If you don't consistently implement disease prevention measures, the barn will remain problematic for weeks. The goal is to reduce the routes of entry and transmission.

Stable hygiene in everyday life

  • Hands/shoes/clothing: clean stable clothes, doormats/change of shoes, hand hygiene
  • Prioritize contact surfaces: door handles, latches, cleaning area, ties, faucets
  • Waterers/feeders: clean thoroughly, do not exchange between groups
  • Manure and walkways: keep clean, reduce moisture

Stable disinfection as a routine

  • Effective barn disinfection follows one basic rule: clean first, then disinfect. Organic contamination (feces, feed residues, mucus) reduces the effectiveness of disinfection. Therefore:
  • First, clean thoroughly and let it dry.
  • Then disinfect specifically – especially in quarantine and contact areas.
  • Observe exposure times and manufacturer's instructions.

AnoKath stable hygiene products can support you as a building block in stable and contact surface hygiene, especially for frequently touched areas and stable environment zones. In the event of an outbreak, routine, structure, and consistent separation of groups are crucial.

Supporting the respiratory system: Natural brine for inhalation and respiratory fitness as a routine.

Strangles often affects the respiratory tract. You'll frequently see coughing, nasal discharge, or irritated mucous membranes. In addition to veterinary care, it's best to establish a supportive inhalation routine that you integrate consistently and with minimal stress into your daily stable routine.

Natural brine for inhalation

You use AnoKath natural brine in your inhalation routine to support your respiratory system in everyday life. You rely on a gentle application that you can perform regularly – especially in dry stable air or with sensitive mucous membranes.

Important: You must keep the inhalation device consistently hygienic. Clean the mask, tubing, and container regularly, allow everything to dry thoroughly, and store it cleanly to avoid creating any additional contamination.

Use Atemfit as a supplement

You use Atemfit as a supplement when you want to provide holistic support for your horse during its recovery. You maintain a focus on stability and routine: you improve the stable air, reduce dust, consistently practice inhalation therapy, and keep your horse as stress-free as possible.

If your horse has a fever, is eating poorly, or is showing signs of breathing difficulties, you should always contact the veterinarian immediately.

AnoKath Liquid: Acid-base balance as a complementary component

A bout of strangles puts a noticeable strain on many horses. They often struggle with fever, reduced feed intake, stress, and the need for rest – and this quickly disrupts their daily routine. During such periods, many owners also rely on acid-base balancing to help maintain a stable routine for the horse's system.

Use AnoKath Liquid as an adjunct

You can use AnoKath Liquid as a supplementary building block:

  • You integrate it into a reliable daily routine during periods of stress.
  • This will support the general well-being during convalescence.
  • You combine it with feeding management, rest, and consistent veterinary care.

Important: You do not use AnoKath Liquid as a medication for strangles. It complements your routine, but does not replace diagnosis or treatment.

Common mistakes in dealing with strangles in the barn

  • Horses are isolated too late ("it'll be alright")
  • Equipment is shared between horses (bucket, grooming kit, halter).
  • Disinfection without pre-cleaning (often less effective)
  • Inhalation equipment is not being kept hygienically.
  • Returning to training too soon instead of consistent recovery

FAQs

Strangles in horses – treatment & management with stable hygiene, natural brine inhalation, Atemfit and AnoKath Liquid

What is strangles in horses – and why is it so contagious?

Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It spreads rapidly via nasal/pus secretions, hands, clothing, grooming equipment, water troughs, and contact surfaces. Therefore, you must immediately isolate suspected cases and switch your stable management to "disease mode." You keep contact horses separate and use separate equipment in quarantine. AnoKath's advantage: You stabilize critical contact points with a consistent hygiene routine.

What are the typical symptoms – and when is it necessary to call the vet immediately?

You can often recognize strangles by fever, marked lethargy, purulent nasal discharge, coughing, and swollen lymph nodes, some of which may form abscesses. Swallowing is often difficult, and your horse will eat less. If it shows signs of shortness of breath, high fever, or a significant drop in performance, have it examined by a veterinarian immediately. AnoKath supports your stable management but does not replace treatment.

What does disease prevention for strangles look like in concrete terms (herd management)?

You set up an isolation area with clear pathways: first care for healthy horses, then quarantine – never the other way around. You use separate equipment (buckets, halters, grooming kit) for each group, change clothes/gloves, and consistently disinfect contact surfaces. You reduce visitor and horse traffic and quarantine new arrivals. AnoKath advantage: You establish hygiene as a standard routine.

What role does stable and surface disinfection play in strangles – and how does AnoKath help with stable hygiene?

With strangles, the bacterial load in the environment plays a crucial role. You treat hotspots such as water troughs, stall fronts, door handles, grooming areas, tie-up points, tool and wheelbarrow handles, and transport areas particularly thoroughly. AnoKath advantage: With AnoKath stable hygiene products, you keep these contact points hygienically stable without alcohol and immediately reduce transmission via hands, secretions, and materials after contact with sick horses.

Natural brine inhalation and respiratory fitness – when is this beneficial?

Following veterinary assessment, you support the respiratory system with a gentle inhalation routine, especially in cases of thick mucus or dry stable air. AnoKath advantage: You use AnoKath natural brine as a clear base; Atemfit complements your structured respiratory management. You must clean the mask, tubing, and canister consistently every day; otherwise, you will compromise the effectiveness of the routine.

Why is AnoKath Liquid used in strangles management?

Many horses are under considerable stress during and after strangles: fever, stress, relocation, and a break from training. You stabilize their daily routine with a clear regimen of rest, adjusted feeding, and consistent management. AnoKath advantage: You can incorporate AnoKath Liquid as a complementary acid-base supplement – ​​in addition to stable hygiene, disease prevention, and inhalation therapy.